LGBTQ Community Celebrates Renewed Dignity At Delhi Queer Pride, First After SC Legalised Homosexuality

As the sun sets on 2018, for the queer community in India, it is the dawn of renewed pride and acceptance.

The national capital today witnessed a huge crowd of nearly 5,000 people for the Delhi Queer Pride 2018, organised by the queer community every last Sunday of November since 2008.

Love in the air and streets

This was the first pride after Supreme Court decriminalised homosexuality in a historic verdict on September 6, 2018. The parade looked nothing less than a spectacular festival. Donned in colourful and garish outfits, thousands painted the streets like a rainbow. There were fewer wearing marks, making a statement that they no longer live in fear. The queer community had never looked happier, confident and unfettered, as they looked today leaving behind the colonial era ban.

The community has fought and won a big battle, and it was evident on the delighted faces radiating exuberance.

The show opened with a golden banner with the words Queer Pride 2018, at the cry of "Zindabad Supreme Court".

Shweta Sengar/Indiatimes

Young boys, girls, gays, lesbians, transsexuals and transgenders, all danced and waved rainbow flags and placards inscribed with "Love Wins", "Adios 377", "Rainbow not Saffron" and "Homosexuality is not a choice but homophobia is".

There were young queer people with their families attending the event in full solidarity with the community. Activists chanting slogans of ¡°azaadi, azaadi¡±, echoed and filled the atmosphere with unparalleled vigour.

¡°I see less fear among the people of our community. Coming out with such confidence and enthusiasm would never have been possible if homosexuality was still a crime in the country¡±, said 24-year-old Geeta, a fashion student.

The community has collectively struggled to battle all forms of shame, stigma, transphobia, homophobia, and socio-economic hierarchy, at a time when such an assertion of dignity and self-respect grows in need and vitality.

Shweta Sengar/Indiatimes

¡°This is the first time when we are not criminals in our country and marching freely. There was no burden¡±, said Ankit, marching with a placard that read ¡°#SmashBrahmanicalPatriarchy¡±.

The parade was only about happiness as hundreds danced to quirky Bollywood songs as they were sung on dhol.

Just the beginning

While India is now one of more than 120 countries to have effectively decriminalised homosexuality, the gay community still faces stigma in the conservative society in the country, where homosexuality remains frowned upon by many. It will take at least one more generation for social acceptance but for now, at least fear does not linger around.

It is difficult to fight the ingrained prejudice that many hold against the LGBTQ+ community in India.

The verdict is indeed a stepping stone in the long years of legal ups and downs. The LGBTQ+ community is now empowered to fight for other rights in the future. While the apex court has ruled discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is a fundamental rights violation, many queer people are still struggling to find acceptance from within the family and friends.

Shweta Sengar/Indiatimes

Patriarchy is among one of the factors which forces men and women to remain in the closet and never allows them to embrace the sexuality they identify with. Many young queers fear coming out to their parents worrying that their education may take a hit.

Homosexuality is a subject to which many stay oblivious. It is termed as a ¡®disease¡¯ which can be cured with some magical treatment and sometimes, also ¡®a state of mind¡¯.

In a largely conservative country, where leaders of all religions have consistently opposed gay sex, it will still be a while before attitudes change and the community finds full acceptance.